We Cannot Afford Tax Loopholes

As a state we have a long history of standing together during good times and bad. As voters we have overwhelmingly approved measures to invest in the quality of our kids education, provide affordable healthcare for everyone, and to make sure the most vulnerable among us can live a life of dignity free of unnecessary suffering. We have led the nation in innovative public services and programs that protect clean air and clean water, and attract good paying jobs.

In this deep recession, when the need for these critical services is greater than ever, we must not abandon that legacy of investing in the core services upon which we all rely to maintain our quality of life and future prosperity. Yet the draconian all cuts budget the Governor put forth would dismantle that legacy. Here are some examples about what it would mean to cut an additional $4.7 billion from the state budget on top of the $4.3 billion in cuts from the past two years:

• Suspend Initiative 728, which provides money to reduce class sizes

• Suspend Initiative 732, which provides cost-of-living increases for teachers

• Eliminate Basic Health Plan, affordable health insurance for 66,000 low income residents —

• Eliminate Disability Lifeline, which provides critical assistance to the unemployable disabled —

• Reduce in-home personal-care services for people on Medicaid

• Reduce nonemergency dental and maternity care for Medicaid patients

• Double digit increase in tuition to offset a $344.7 million cut at state colleges and universities

• Increase fares by 10 percent and reduce average daily sailings for the Washington State Ferry system

To be fair to the Governor, state law requires her to propose a balanced budget using only existing revenue sources. That said she failed to use the opportunity to urge legislators to take a more balanced approach that includes cutting some of the hundreds of tax exemptions that cost our state $6.5 billion a year.

At a time when we are considering cutting vital services for seniors, our kids and grandkids futures, and public services that protect public health and safety, shouldn’t we also consider cutting tax breaks for big out of state banks and private jet owners? When we are scrutinizing every dollar that we spend on our communities shouldn’t special interest tax giveaways get the same level of scrutiny?

Fortunately a broad based coalition (PSARA is a very active member) of non-profits and faith based organizations is advocating for a better way forward that protects our quality of life, economic competitiveness and the legacy of our great state. During the 2011 legislature we will advocate for the following:

• Cutting unjustified tax giveaways for special interests and the wealthy instead of funding for our kids and communities

• Going after tax evaders and tax cheats that are not contributing their fair share to our great state

• Reforming the tax exemption system to bring transparency and accountability to the hundreds of tax exemptions that cost our state $6.5 billion a year

In order to overcome the intense opposition we expect from special interest lobbyists we need to engage all concerned citizen’s in this fight. When ordinary citizen’s come to the Capitol and lobby their legislators it sends a strong message. On Feb. 24th you have a great opportunity to advocate for the future of our state by joining PSARA at the Senior Lobby Day. Please mark your calendars look for more details in the Feb. Retiree Advocate.

by Jim Dawson, Campaign Director, Our Economic Future Coalition